2005Off Topic forum
Projecting video onto steam or smoke for cinematography
21 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Projecting standard video imagery onto rising steam produces very low contrast and requires high-contrast or edge-enhanced source material to be visible on camera.
- Containing steam or smoke between two sheets of glass or using falling dry ice instead of rising steam can improve projection visibility.
- Keeping ambient light low is essential for seeing projected images on steam or smoke effectively.
- Simple block color images work better than detailed ones when projecting onto particle-based surfaces like steam or smoke.
- Rear-projection setups with dry ice created on-stage can produce visual effects that appear more dramatic from behind the screen than from the audience perspective.
- Projecting through water spray, fountains, or firework smoke can produce visible textured effects, though results are unpredictable.
Depends on
- One reported exhibition using smoke projection was described as a complete failure with invisible imagery.
- The technique is acknowledged as hit-or-miss with uncertain outcomes.
- Results depend heavily on specific lighting conditions and material choices.
- The original project aimed for an ethereal quality, which may not match all aesthetic goals.